How to Save the Constitution: Restoring the Principles of Liberty by
Paul B. Skousen
My rating:
5 of 5 stars
FIVE STARS!
Fantastic! Since 2007 I have a taught a Constitution Class named "The Making of America", referred to as my "MOA Class", named after the book of the same title by W. Cleon Skousen. I found it is a passion of mine to help teach the youth of the rising generation the truths about our beautiful nation, our God-favored Founders and Constitution and the foundation upon which this nation rests and was born from - all before they enter those universities that are so overpopulated with Marxist and Communist professors, students and lies in all classes, especially history and government classes.
Well, this book is a great "Reader's Digest Version" of that 3-year class.
The book begins with the background of the beginnings of America, moves into the Founders and how they were influenced and educated and came up with ideas, then moves into those ideas and what they actually mean and the original intent of the Founders in basing our nation upon those ideas. It goes through the 28 Principles of Freedom which form the foundation of American and throughout the book you get a look into world history and how other nations failed in many areas and how those failing also informed the Founders as to what they did *not* want for America. The book also touches on modern influences that are attacking these foundations and what history proves will be our destruction is we don't heed the Founders and stick by our Constitution. But more importantly - and I LOVE THIS PART! - is this book give you the SOLUTIONS for fixing each and every one of these issues which have brought us to where we are today! No other book and no other person that I know of has so fully and articulately shared the answer to that old question we all, who love and want to save America, have: WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?
Some favorite quotes from the book:
Quote 1:
*** NATURAL PRINCIPLES AND LAWS DON'T CHANGE
“In the pages that follow are these fundamental principles that have been passed down to modern America. Studying them makes it clear that America’s greatest problems are not because the Constitution has failed to keep up with the times, as some people claim. We suffer because those principles have become largely ignored, neglected, or intentionally rejected. America’s biggest challenge for saving the Constitution really boils down to something quite simple — where do we begin?
“A wise ecclesiastical leader long ago once made a promise that has proven itself of inestimable value time and again. It’s just as applicable today as it was almost a hundred years ago. He wisely counseled, “Just start, and the way will be opened.”
“Just start. It’s direct. It’s simple. It’s key to all of America’s forward motion. It’s something that we can put to work right here, right now. From one grateful American to another, let’s put that promise to the test. Let’s just start! Let’s go save our Constitution!”
- How To Save The Constitution: Restoring The Principles of Liberty, Chapter 1
Quote 2:
PRINCIPLE 20 - THE GOVERNMENT MUST OPERATE ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF THE MAJORITY BUT CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS MUST BE MADE TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE MINORITY.
“The Framers found in John Locke’s writings an excellent discussion on majority rule and minority rights. He wrote that “When a person chooses to join others in a great confederation of groups and peoples, he is also bound to submit to the determination of the majority.”
“Locke pointed out that governing on any other basis, such as requiring 100% consensus on every issue brought forward, simply can’t work because there would always be, on every vote, a dissenter who would prevent the 100% vote.
“Locke said “That is next to impossible ever to be had. Accepting majority rule as a practical necessity puts the minority at risk unless their basic rights are protected in spite of the majority.”
“Protecting minority rights is what the Constitution and Bill of Rights were designed to do.
“While not yet perfect, considerable progress toward protecting minority rights has been made.”
- How to Save The Constitution: Restoring The Principles of Liberty by Paul B. Skousen & W. Cleon Skousen, Chapter 9
Quote 3:
CHAPTER 28: The Fourth Virtue
“Virtue is a willingness of the people to uphold and obey the written rules. America’s Framers used the words ‘public virtue’ to describe such willingness on a national scale.
“To them virtue meant the strength and resolve to stand up for what was right, a determination to live, obey, defend, and sustain their set of rules from corruption and attack. It meant a free and sincere willingness to sacrifice personal interests for the benefit of the nation. As Lord Acton said, “Liberty is not the power of doing what we like, but the right of being able to do what we ought.” That’s virtue. Virtue is synonymous with strength.”
- How to Save The Constitution: Restoring The Principles of Liberty by Paul B. Skousen & W. Cleon Skousen, Chapter 28
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